KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Reported $40.2 million in net income, up 536% year over year
- Total assets grew 7.69% to $3.63 billion in 2025
- Expansion planned for Panama City, Florida, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- National lending platform to grow with new hires in New York and California
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company reported record earnings for 2025 and outlined plans to expand into new regional and national markets, signaling continued growth for Louisiana’s largest locally owned bank.
The New Orleans-based bank said it posted one of the strongest financial performances in its history, driven by customer demand, specialty lending growth and ongoing investments in technology. Alongside the results, the company announced plans to enter new Gulf South markets and broaden its national lending footprint in 2026.
For the full year, Gulf Coast Bank reported total assets of $3.63 billion, a 7.69% increase from the prior year. Equity rose 16.7% to $311 million, while annual revenue climbed 6.3% to $362 million, according to the company. Net income reached $40.2 million, up 536% year over year, reflecting improved operating performance across multiple business lines.
The bank attributed its results to expansion of specialty and national lending platforms, including purchase order finance, as well as continued investment in internally developed technology aimed at improving efficiency and scalability. Growth across the bank’s core Gulf Coast markets also contributed to the performance, the company said.
Building on that momentum, Gulf Coast Bank plans to expand into Panama City, Florida, and Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 2026. The bank said the new locations are intended to support local economic development while extending its reach to a broader customer base.
The company also plans to grow its national lending operations by adding commercial loan officers in New York and California, strengthening its presence in major financial markets outside the Gulf South. Additional investments in technology are planned across all divisions to support long-term growth initiatives.
“We are thrilled to share these exceptional results with our community,” CEO Guy Williams said in a statement. “Our record earnings reflect the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Looking ahead, our expansion sets the foundation for even greater achievements as we continue to innovate and deliver superior value for our customers.”
Founded in 1990, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company employs more than 950 people nationwide and offers personal and business banking, mortgage, trust, wealth management and international banking services. According to a news release, the bank has positioned itself in recent years as both a regional community lender and a national player in specialty finance, a strategy that has helped drive its recent growth.
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